Overview
American Yacht Club was founded in New York City in 1883 as a club for steam yachts and in 1887 bought the tip of Milton Point in Rye, on Long Island Sound, which is still its home. Its first sailing race followed in 1889, and the club's fleet has since included America's Cup defenders and Bermuda and transatlantic race winners. The club runs a Spring and a Fall Regatta with ORC, PHRF and one-design fleets on windward-leeward and coastal courses, plus an annual invitational cruise; its junior program, JAYC, marked 100 years in 2026. Visiting yachts can reserve a club mooring with launch service on VHF 71.
- Founded
- 1883
- Federation
- US Sailing
- info@americanyc.org
- Phone
- +1 914 967 4800
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere Coast Guard Sector New York – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- AYC Spring Regattaseason-opening keelboat regatta: Friday coastal race plus a weekend of windward-leeward and coastal racing for ORC, PHRF and one-design fleets
- AYC Fall Regattaautumn regatta on two courses; the 36th edition in 2026 doubled as the J/44 and J/88 North Americans
- American Yacht Club Annual Invitational Cruisethe club's long-standing invitational cruise
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1883The club is founded in New York City by a group of steam-yacht owners — billed as the first steam yacht club in the world
- 1887The club buys 12 acres at the tip of Milton Point, Rye, as its shore station
- 1889First club sailing race: six yachts finish a 20-mile course in a blow
- 1926The junior program, JAYC, is founded (centennial celebrated in June 2026)
- 1951–1952An electrical fire destroys the clubhouse on 27 July 1951; members rebuild it in little more than a year
- 1996A club sailor wins Olympic bronze in the Europe dinghy
Location
- Position
- 40°56.45′ N 73°41.94′ W
40.94080, -73.69897 - Address
- 499 Stuyvesant Avenue
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: JAYC junior sailing.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: Coast Guard Sector New York 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was American Yacht Club founded?
In 1883.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: AYC Spring Regatta, AYC Fall Regatta and American Yacht Club Annual Invitational Cruise.